I have discussed in recent blogs the ongoing health issues that I have been battling; no, don’t worry, this is not going to be a “poor me” piece nor a rehash; instead I wanted to share an experience and how it helped remind me about our client’s needs. “Ok, this one I want you to take…” “That one take two times a day…” “This one stop when the symptoms improve… this one take until…” The well meaning MD continued to give detailed and quick directions to me as my head was spinning from illness and my main though was “please lord don’t let me pass out and fall off this table onto the floor.” Thankfully my prayer was answered as were most of them during that period but unfortunately most of what the MD said sounded much like the adults in the Charlie Brown cartoons. The result was a massive confusion on my part as to what meds were to be taken when, for how long and in what order. Remarkably I began to feel better in spite of myself. The dizziness reduced, the breathing increased and I began to feel human once more. Then I started reducing the meds as I thought I had been instructed. For two days things went well before I found myself seriously ill once more; confusion filled me as I thought I had done everything as prescribed yet I almost went to the ER yet again… Later I realized I stopped the wrong meds and even if I had stopped the right ones I would have been ill as my definition of “when you are feeling better” and the doctors were considerably different. I learned his “when” was after at least six weeks while my “when” was defined as a few days. Eventually I improved again in spite of myself and though the medications and treatment will continue for a great deal of time, I found myself elbows deep into a tractor repair followed by a long, slow and restful test ride through the fields, trails, sun and shade of Pillwillop Farm. Riding along the back field by the recently downed trees where the turkeys are often found, I realized that the issue I had experienced with the MD were not unlike that encountered by our clients; many of which are also lost, dazed and confused when we are doing our assessments, initial treatment plan and possibly still as we go over the development of our master treatment plan goals. How many find themselves confused by the direction or scope of their treatment? How often do we as their doctors (clinicians) revisit our treatment plans, how often do we explain the processes we are performing in order to ensure that our clients are fully aware of their status and direction? If we fail to do so, will it not have a potential impact on client satisfaction, stability and retention? Tractor wisdom being what it is I began to look at my current caseload in my mind as I encountered the next steep hill (and remained impressed at the successful repair that I had completed). For the most part I found myself happy in that I could honestly say for the greater part of my caseload that I felt that my clients were fully aware of their status, goals, direction etc. I did find myself recognizing that at least a few clients’ needs had recently changed and wondering if they felt confused as I had in my recent treatment. This week will find me reviewing all my clients’ progress goals etc. to ensure they are aware of where they stand and agree as to where we are going. It is important for us to remember to put ourselves in our clients’ world from time to time in order to try to better appreciate what they are going through and also to try to discover what techniques may better serve them. Clients see things from their own perspective; we all know this but at times we can get caught up with the routine of our daily practice and lose sight that what is common for us is still unknown and potentially devastating to those we serve. To illustrate this point here is a technique that I often utilize with both my clients and newbie clinicians. I did not invent this technique and it is far from new but usually gets great results. Best of all it is free and simple! Most of us have “our chair” that is to say the one that we typically sit in for a session; conversely there is often a chair or couch that is often left for our clients. During a session where you are trying to instill some knowledge of perception, have them describe the office. Typically, the description will center on just what is in front of them. Once they are done, change seats and repeat the question. This works best in offices that are not boring, generic or otherwise bland. The results are typically powerful in that they see firsthand how different things can be based on vantage point; a common response from me usually being “my job as your doctor is not only to help you see what is in front of you but also to see what is not, or what may be…” In my office I utilize the concept of hiding things in the open, that is to say I have my office set up in a sense like two different rooms each designed to meet the needs of those who use it. On the walls that the clients typically face I have my framed degrees, license, certifications etc. as required but on the wall that typically is to the back of my client I have items that have deep meaning to me, ones that help my long days go by a bit smoother. On that wall the can be found a small sign from my late father in laws woodworking business, to remind me of the good times we shared and the importance of our past. I also have a handmade clock that he made that not only serves a real need but also reminds me that beauty can be practical and useful and that calloused hands can lead to calmer hearts. There are also Masonic Aprons that are around 100 years old and from different areas of the world which remind me to serve those in my office on the level and to always give them a square deal. It amazes me that I have had clients come to my office for a year or more before they ever notice things on that wall, while others notice them on the first visit. As my day goes on and thoughts of my 1964 601 work master tractor fill my head please remember that the view from your office chair may differ greatly from that of our clients; don’t be afraid to change seats from time to time so you can help avoid your client saying “Wait, what did they say?...”
Warren Corson III (Doc Warren) is a counselor and the clinical & executive director of a community counseling agency in central CT (www.docwarren.org).